The chill was ever present against the desolate blackness in which Lindsay concealed herself. Darkness crept around every corner and the gloom filled the endless cracks. The shadows fell across the void cloaking the lake in mystery. The inky waters were hidden beneath the hoary fog that had spread out over the surface. And yet, in the midst of all the surrounding sable vicinity, a celestial voice chimed throughout the realm.
"Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation. Darkness stirs and wakes imagination. Silently the senses abandon their defenses..." He sang to Christine with all the seraphic measures. He had turned his head up slowly to gaze upon her. His movements led him away from the organ and closer to Christine. The young soprano had changed her stance to face the lake and what lay beyond its shores.
"Slowly, gently, night unfurls it's splendor. Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender." He began his approach to her with a feline grace. His strides were predatory as the space between them narrowed."Turn your face away from the garish light of day." A hand reached out to guide Christine's look in the opposite direction of himself. His fingers delicately slid under her chin to bring her back to his attention. "Turn your thoughts away from cold unfeeling light, and listen to the music of the night." He stepped aside from her and waved his arm in front of her face. His palm closed as it reached her eyes.
"Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams. Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before." With his hand still outstretched he pulled away from Christine. He began to pace around her in an ensnaring circle. "Close your eyes, let your your spirit start to soar. And you'll live as you've never lived before." His stalking brought him to the other side of her as he grasped for her awareness. He raised his hand up to hover in the air before her. He reclined backwards in his steps before leaning forwards slightly to savor in the moment.
"Softly, deftly, music shall surround you. Hear it, feel it, closing in around you." He crossed back to where the organ resided and his eyes glanced down at his scores. As he turned to fully face Christine he beckoned her forth to meet him. "Open up your mind let your fantasies unwind in this darkness that you know you cannot fight, the darkness of the music of the night." He sang as he crept back in the direction of the black gate with his hands triumphantly held high. His grip was latched on the cold bars as he bared himself to her. His fingers curled around them tightly as Christine drew near. She extended out to touch his face but his enticing spell over her wavered as she turned away. Christine flew astray from him but he was relentless. His dark figure pursued her slowly and confidently even though she had fled.
"Let your mind start a journey through a strange new world. Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before." He made his stance for her observation. She hesitantly and unseeingly turned to him again. Christine was frozen in her place as he regained control once more. "Let your soul take you where you long to be," his voice rose to a heightened climax. The sound echoed throughout his realm. "only then can you belong to me." He continued on more gently, as if he had forgotten to not scare her. He sealed the serene action by appearing behind her and running his hands along her arms.
"Floating, falling, sweet intoxication. Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation." He fanned an arm over her chest and cushioned her head against himself. His other hand found its way to her side to direct her in the lilting motions. They swayed back and forth while he sang to her. Christine raised herself slowly to feel him, but her action was intercepted bu him. "Let the dream begin let your darker side give in, to the power of the music that I write... the power of the music of the night." He had snatched her wrist during her attempt to touch him and brought her across the chamber. He prowled to where a curtain was concealing something.
The hidden object was revealed as he drew away the shield. He flung aside the sheet and stood awaiting her approval for his creation. Christine stared at what seemed to be her twin. Standing like a statue was a bride in a wedding dress. She moved closer to it to examine it further. The mannequin sprang forward off its hinges and bounced lightly in its stand. Christine was frightened by the sudden and inhuman movement and fell faint.
Immediately he was scooping up her limp form. His movements were purposely slow, so that he did not wake her and to appreciate their close proximity. He carried her to a throne of pillows concealed in a crafted shell. It looked similar to that of the boat which had brought them across the lake. With more care then ever exhibited he laid her to rest. He paused a moment to enjoy the pleasure he felt before drawing his cape over her.
"You alone can make my song take flight, help me make the music of the night..." he concluded. His hand lingered on her shoulder before he composed himself again to stand. He arose pleading for her to comply with him and bring his satisfaction. As the last notes faded off into the waters the candles dimmed to a faint glow.
Lindsay poised herself to begin the ascent back to the populated section of the theater. Her combination of the Levitation Spell and the Aquamenti Spell were still in effect when she crossed over the lake. Silently she walked to the far side without the use of Lumos. To her misfortune the stone steps had vanished. The wall was smooth and held no traces of its previous pathway.
She waved her hand and thought of the incantation to produce the Bluebell Flames. The small fire blazed in her palm about the size of a large candle. She neglected to use her wand for it would be too bright and draw attention to her. Lindsay altered the spell to cast the fire in a more natural color as opposed to bright blue. With the amber flame she searched the area for another passage way. Far over on the right hand side there was a break in the stone. Lindsay slipped through it not before turning to examine the lair; it had gone completely dark. With her flame to light the way she left the lake side.
Lindsay cautiously journeyed onward. Her light footsteps reflected sounds off of the corridor stones. She followed along its course when it diverted in a dextral fashion. Minutes passed to no avail, no other opening had shown itself. Lindsay's straight line of travel was interrupted when she noticed his presence. He was looming behind her and did not shy away when she turned to face him.
"Why, Miss Durham, have you come down this far?" His cold voice spoke to her. He wore the same clothes as he had earlier, yet this time his eyes burned feverishly with danger.